2.01.2011

Heaven

So, we have been reading Roman stories about some of the saints. He gets really into memorizing their names and pictures. :) One thing that we tried to reiterate about each of them was that they live in Heaven with Jesus.

It's such a blessing to get the opportunity to share the Gospel with your children. Roman can tell you that Jesus died on the cross so that we can go to Heaven. He knows that if we love Jesus then we will get to go to Heaven when we die.

We have also had conversations about how Grandpa David and other friends and family members that we love are already in Heaven.

The other day, in the middle of one of these conversations, Roman asked "Mommy, where is Heaven?"

uh...

This kind of reminded me of our "Did the Holy Spirit die on the cross?" conversation. Usually I feel like I am pretty prepared to answer his questions, but this was another time when I suddenly felt really, really not prepared.

I thought for a minute and tried again with "Heaven is where Jesus lives".

His response: "Tell me where that is, Mom."

"Well, honey, it's really hard to explain exactly where Heaven is. But it's where we go to be with Jesus when we die and it's a really wonderful place. Let Mommy think about another way to explain it."

Well, I've been thinking for a couple of days now and I am still not quite sure how to generate a 3 year old answer. If he were an adult, I feel like I might have an adequate theological response...but to Roman? How do I explain that to Roman? And how do I explain it in a way that's simple and yet truthful? It's really important to me that my answer be accurate...that's it's not some vague "up in the sky" answer that's not deeply rooted in truth.

So, my sister-in-law Angela suggested using the song Big House by Audio Adrenaline. If you rocked any youth conferences or camps in the late 90's, you know the one! :)

So, I'm thinking, this is perfect. It's a song based on what scripture says about Heaven...I can talk about more about Heaven for now...

So, I say "Roman, remember the other day when you asked me where Heaven is?"

"Yeah".

"Well, I want to tell you more about Heaven. Jesus tells us in the Bible that Heaven is our Father's house...and that there are lots of rooms and that everyone will sit down at a big banquet table together. The streets are made of gold and the sea is made of crystal! It's a beautiful place! And it's a very happy place! No one is ever sad and no one ever has to die again. Heaven is where Jesus lives. And all the angels and saints live there too. Roman, I want to show you a music video. This song tell us what Heaven will be like." (see Revelation 19 and see Revelation 21)

I pull up the video and he watches very intently through the first chorus:

come, and go with me to my Father's house

come, and go with me to my Father's house

it's a big big house with lots and lots of rooms,

a big big table with lots and lots of food,

a big big yard where we can play football,

a big big house...it's my Father's house.

and then a new question formed in young Roman's ever-inquisitive mind:

"Mom, does Jesus play football??"

SO.priceless.

It was one of the many moments that I just wanted to bottle up and hold onto forever.

**********************

For the record, at the end of the video, he still asked where Heaven is.

Like I said, I don't want to give him an answer that isn't truth. So, if anyone else has a good 3 year old answer to that question, I'd love any suggestions!

You know, the more I've been thinking about this one, I'm thinking just complete honesty. We don't know exactly where it is. We know something about it, but we don't know where it is. It almost seems too simple, but I really wouldn't know what else to tell him.